Thursday, March 27, 2014

#DearBlackMan : I admire men who have kraals with cows, sheep etc. in them. There is something about a dear black man and the way he treasures his cattle that is admirable. I find such black men are often more grounded, family orianted and less superficial than those who are only interested in bright city lights. I was told that in Botswana people relax by watching their beautiful cattle as they graze. I find that intriguing yet I can imagine that it must be relaxing. As relaxing as watching the ocean. While Zuma may have used the state's money to pay for his kraal, kraals are not bad in themselves. It is using state money that is wrong. I admire the fact that he has his own Isibaya. Mandela also had his own kraal full of cattle. #Dearblackman do consider building your own kraal and having your own live stock one day. Believe me you will feel much closer to the many generations that have gone before you. If I must choose between a township black man who has never seen the sight of a cow but is a happy beef eater, and a man who has been inside the kraal, a Sibaya man wins handsdown. With education something about a Sibaya man feels capable in all spheres of life. He is also unlikely to be afraid of insects like I have sadly witnessed in men who have only ever seen city lights. Of course there are many progressive women who find it sexy to watch a man who is afraid of insects. I often think how will he handle a lion if he jumps at the sight of a harmless insect? Do consider visiting a kraal in your lifetime.

#DearBlackMan Thursday: while in other parts of Africa and the world the oppression of women prevails, I salute this #DearBlackMan who is my late grandfather. It is because of him that I have never believed that I was an inferior species because of my gender. As a little girl I noted that he never gave anyone the opportunity to believe that females were less than males. This was evident in how the chores were distributed. A girl was expected to be able to perform traditional male duties. Boys were also expected to be able to excel in all things. This is my grandfather. Legend of legends. The man who baptised all his grandchildren with kisses until the day he died. He was many things but today I must honour him for this.

I also honour the majority of men in the Eastern Cape. They could be men in the streets or in taxis or else where but I have admired and continue to admire the way they treat women with honour and the way they respond to men who don't. Sometimes I meet men young and old in the streets who go out of their way to honour me as a woman. Sometimes I think it maybe because they are making up for men who don't. Power to the #DearBlackMan you are a healer of the female soul.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

I had an encounter with a school going boy. We were both in a queue for the best pies in the world called Shamrock pies. (only found in the Eastern Cape, esp. EL). This boy was hanging his arms on a food counter like he was expecting to be unattended to for a very long time. He was wearing a white shirt, shorts and long socks which meant that he was still in primary school. I interrupted his unpleasant wait and asked: "Is there anyone serving here?" He turns around almost to inform me why he waited with such defeat. "No. This alwaaaaays happens. They always take forever." I said:"All you need to do is call them and they'll come and serve you." Indeed, I waved and called. A tanned almost shrievelled up white lady responded immediately. I said to the now fresh blond boy:"Look, I told you. All you need to do is just call." He cheered up. He couldn't believe it worked that easily. He was the first one in the queue so it was natural that he should be the first recepient of the world's best pie. This boy refused to order before me. "No you order first." He cheerfully insisted a few times. Eventually I accepted. I was so proud of him. He was a tall boy with such good manners. I thought I don't remember kids in my day being this lovely. More so he was a Hudsonian. He had a red eagle on his shirt. I did not tell him that I too was an old eagle. I left singing to myself "fearless as the eagle,... honour and justice we will always uphold. Tentando superabis by endeavor we'll succeed..." At my next stop I had to practice the same patience offered to me by the eaglet to a granny. I then contemplated if there should be a #DearWhiteBrother in response to the Oscar story. After all, Byrandt blessed all women on Saturday. He released a heavenly blessing and affirmation over women. He was wearing his African shirt. He too is a dear white brother.